Methods and apparatus for reducing tune-time delay in a television appliance with personal versatile recorder capabilities

1. A method for reducing tune-time delay for television signals in an appliance having trick play mode capabilities, the method comprising: receiving a television signal at an input of the appliance; inserting at least one marker into the television signal for marking a position in the signal; responsive to a channel change request, processing the received television signal via a first signal path including a write buffer for buffering the received television signal, the first signal path bypassing trick play processing for providing an output without trick play modes to a decoder, wherein the first signal path between the input and a display of a decoded signal is without a tune-time delay due to trick play mode processing; responsive to the channel change request, concurrently processing the received television signal via at least one trick play mode path including the write buffer, a storage device for storing a copy of the television signal buffered in the write buffer and a read buffer for buffering the stored television signal in response to a trick play mode selection for outputting to a decoder; responsive to the channel change request, initially causing a display of the signal decoded from the write buffer via the first signal path; in response to a trick play mode request, initiating buffering in the read buffer in the at least one trick play mode path of the stored copy of the television signal from the storage device; determining a switching location in the television signal for switching the input to the decoder from an output from the write buffer via the first signal path to an output of the read buffer via the at least one trick play mode path, the switching location associated with at least one of the inserted markers; and at the determined switching location, ceasing decoding of the output from the write buffer via the first signal path, and switching the input to the decoder between an output from the write buffer via the first signal path to an output of the read buffer via the at least one trick play mode path, wherein switching the input to the decoder causes a switch in the display of the television signal from the signal processed via the first signal path to the signal processed via the trick play mode path.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein: said television signal comprises a digital television signal.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said processing of said television signal for display via a first path comprises: buffering the digital television signal; and decoding the buffered digital television signal for display.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said processing of said television signal for PVR trick play mode use comprises: storing a copy of the digital television signal; buffering said stored television signal when a trick play mode is selected; and decoding said buffered television signal to provide said requested trick play mode.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein switching from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path comprises: determining a trick play mode start location in the digital television signal corresponding to a start of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; accessing the stored copy of the television signal at the determined trick play mode start location such that said buffering of said stored television signal begins at said determined trick play mode start location; ending decoding of said television signal from said first path at said determined trick play mode start location; and beginning decoding of said buffered television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode start location.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path comprises: determining a trick play mode end location in the digital television signal corresponding to an end of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; accessing the television signal from the first path at the determined trick play mode end location; ending decoding of said television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location; and beginning decoding of said television signal from said first path at said determined trick play mode end location.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises one of fast backward, jump backward, or rewind.

8. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises a non-jump-based trick play mode; said switching from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path comprises: completing decoding of a current segment of said digital television signal from said first path; decoding a next segment of said digital television signal from said first path; and decoding from said second path successive segments of said buffered digital television signal which follow said next segment of from said first path.

9. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path comprises: holding a last decoded frame from said second path in a frame buffer; decoding the next frame from said first path; and displaying said television signal from said first path.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 , wherein said trick play mode comprises a jump-based trick play mode.

11. A method in accordance with claim 4 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of said television signal from said first path comprises: determining when a point in the digital television signal providing the trick play mode approaches a corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored based on at least one of said markers; holding a last decoded frame from said second path in a frame buffer when said point in said digital television signal is at a predetermined distance from said corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored; decoding the next frame from said first path; and displaying said television signal from said first path.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said trick play modes comprise fast backward, jump backward, rewind, pause, slow motion, and stop.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said television signal comprises an analog television signal.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said processing of said television signal for display via a first path comprises: decoding said analog television signal to provide a digital data stream at a first decoder; providing said digital data stream to a frame buffer; and outputting the digital data stream from said frame buffer for display.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said processing of said television signal for PVR trick play mode use comprises: encoding said digital data stream from said first decoder; buffering said encoded digital data stream for storage; storing said buffered encoded data stream; buffering said stored encoded data stream when a trick play mode is selected; and decoding said buffered data stream to provide said trick play mode at a second decoder.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein switching from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path comprises: determining a trick play mode start location in the digital data stream corresponding to a start of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; accessing the stored copy of the television signal at the determined trick play mode start location such that said buffering of said stored television signal begins at said determined trick play mode start location; switching the input to the frame buffer from said first path at said determined trick play mode start location to said second path; and beginning decoding at said second decoder of said buffered television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode start location.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of said television signal from said first path comprises: determining a trick play mode end location in the digital data stream corresponding to an end of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; accessing the decoded digital data stream from the first path at the determined trick play mode end location; ending, at said second decoder, decoding of said digital data stream from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location; and switching input of said frame buffer from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location to said first path.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises one of fast backward, jump backward, or rewind.

19. A method in accordance with claim 15 , further comprising: providing a third path for said digital data stream to enable non-jump based trick play modes.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 , wherein said switching from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via one of said second path or said third path comprises: marking the current frame position of the digital data stream during said encoding; and accessing at said second decoder the digital data stream at the marked position from one of the second or the third path for trick play mode display.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 , wherein: the non-jump based trick play mode comprises slow motion; the digital data stream is accessed at the marked position from the third path to provide a next frame in the digital data stream; and successive frames following the next frame are provided via said second path during slow motion display.

22. A method in accordance with claim 20 , wherein: the non-jump-based trick play mode comprises pause; and a frame located at the marked position is buffered to provide for delayed playback at the termination of pause.

23. A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of said television signal from said first path comprises: holding at said frame buffer a last decoded frame from said second decoder; switching input to said frame buffer from said second path to said first path to store the next frame from said first path; and displaying said television signal from said first path.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23 , wherein said trick play mode comprises a jump-based trick play mode.

25. A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein switching from trick play mode display from said second path to display of said television signal from said first path comprises: determining when a point in the digital data stream providing the trick play mode approaches a corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored based on at least one of said markers; holding a last decoded frame from said second decoder in a frame buffer when said point in said digital data stream is at a predetermined distance from said corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored; switching input to said frame buffer from said second path to said first path to store the next frame from said first path; and displaying said television signal from said first path.

26. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said markers comprise at least one of a time stamp, a position indicator, a jump location indicator, a chapter indicator, a flag embedded in the digital signal, a digital watermark, or a data tag.

27. Apparatus for reducing tune time delay for television signals in an appliance having trick play mode capabilities, the apparatus comprising: a first signal path for processing a television signal that bypasses trick play processing for providing an output without trick play modes to a decoder, wherein the first signal path between the input and a display of a decoded signal is without a tune-time delay due to trick play mode processing, the first signal path including a write buffer for buffering the received television signal; at least one trick play mode path for enabling trick play modes, concurrent to the processing along the first signal path, upon receipt at the input of the appliance the at least one trick play mode path including the write buffer, a storage device for storing a copy of the received television signal, and a read buffer for buffering the stored television signal in accordance with a trick play mode selection; a processor responsive to the channel change request for initially causing a display of the signal decoded from the write buffer via the first signal path; the processor responsive to a trick mode request for: initiating buffering in the read buffer in the at least one trick play mode path of the stored copy of the television signal from the storage device; determining a switching location in the television signal for switching the input to the decoder from an output from the write buffer via the first signal path to an output of the read buffer via the at least one trick play mode path, the switching location associated with at least one of the inserted markers; a switch operatively associated with said processor for switching between a decoding of a first signal processed via one of the paths to a decoding of a second signal processed via a different one of the paths, wherein at the determined switching location, the switch is operative to switch the input to the decoder from an output from the write buffer via the first signal path to an output of the read buffer via the at least one trick play mode path, said switching of inputs to the decoder causing a switch in the display of the television signal from the signal processed via the first signal path to the signal processed via the trick play mode path.

28. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 , wherein: said television signal comprises a digital television signal.

29. Apparatus in accordance with claim 28 , wherein said first signal path comprises: a first buffer for buffering the digital television signal; and a decoder for decoding the buffered digital television signal for display.

30. Apparatus in accordance with claim 29 , wherein said second signal path comprises: a storage device for storing a copy of the buffered digital television signal; a second buffer for buffering said stored television signal when a trick play mode is selected; and said decoder for decoding said buffered television signal to provide said requested trick play mode.

31. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein, in order to switch from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path: said processor determines a trick play mode start location in the digital television signal corresponding to a start of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; said second buffer accesses the storage device such that said buffering of said stored television signal begins at said determined trick play mode start location; said decoder ends decoding of said television signal from said first path at said determined trick play mode start location; and said decoder begins decoding of said buffered television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode start location.

32. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein, in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said processor determines a trick play mode end location in the digital television signal corresponding to an end of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; said decoder accesses the buffered television signal from the first path at the determined trick play mode end location; said decoder ends decoding of said television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location; and said decoder begins decoding of said buffered television signal from said first path at said determined trick play mode end location.

33. Apparatus in accordance with claim 32 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises one of fast backward, jump backward, or rewind.

34. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises a non-jump-based trick play mode; and in order to switch from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path: said decoder completes decoding of a current segment of said digital television signal from said first path; said decoder decodes a next segment of said television signal from said first path; said decoder decodes from said second path successive segments of said digital data which follow said next segment of digital data from said first path.

35. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein, in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said decoder holds a last decoded frame from said second path in a frame buffer; said decoder decodes the next frame from said first path; and a display displays said television signal from said first path.

36. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein said trick play mode comprises a jump-based trick play mode.

37. Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 , wherein, in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said processor determines when a point in the digital television signal providing the trick play mode approaches a corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored based on at least one of said markers; said decoder holds a last decoded frame from said second path in a frame buffer when said point in said digital television signal is at a predetermined distance from said corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored; said decoder decodes the next frame from said first path; and a display displays said television signal from said first path.

38. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 , wherein said trick play modes comprise fast backward, jump backward, rewind, pause, slow motion, and stop.

39. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 , wherein said television signal comprises an analog television signal.

40. Apparatus in accordance with claim 39 , wherein said first signal path comprises: a first decoder for decoding said analog television signal to provide a digital data stream; a frame buffer for buffering said digital data stream prior to display.

41. Apparatus in accordance with claim 40 , wherein said second signal path comprises: an encoder for encoding said digital data stream; a first buffer for buffering said encoded digital data stream for storage; a storage device for storing said buffered encoded data stream; a second buffer for buffering said stored encoded data stream when a trick play mode is selected; and a second decoder for decoding said buffered data stream to provide said trick play mode.

42. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 , wherein, in order to switch from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via said second path: said processor determines a trick play mode start location in the digital data stream corresponding to a start of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; said second buffer accesses the stored copy of the television signal at the determined trick play mode start location such that said buffering of said stored television signal begins at said determined trick play mode start location; input to said frame buffer is switched from said first path at said determined trick play mode start location to said second path; and said second decoder begins decoding of said buffered television signal from said second path at said determined trick play mode start location.

43. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 , wherein, in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said processor determines a trick play mode end location in the digital data stream corresponding to an end of a requested trick play mode based on at least one of said markers; said second buffer accesses the decoded digital data stream from the first path at the determined trick play mode end location; said second decoder ends decoding of said digital data stream from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location; and input to said frame buffer is switched from said second path at said determined trick play mode end location to said first path.

44. Apparatus in accordance with claim 43 , wherein: said trick play mode comprises one of fast backward, jump backward, or rewind.

45. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 , further comprising: providing a third path for said digital data stream from said first buffer to the second decoder to enable non-jump based trick play modes.

46. Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 , wherein, in order to switch from said display of said television signal via said first path to display of said trick play mode via one of said second path or said third path: said processor marks the current frame position of the digital data stream during said encoding; and said second decoder accesses the digital data stream at the marked position from one of the second or the third path for trick play mode display.

47. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 , wherein: the non-jump based trick play mode comprises slow motion; the digital data stream is accessed at the marked position from the third path to provide a next frame in the digital data stream; and successive frames following the next frame are provided via said second path during slow motion display.

48. Apparatus in accordance with claim 46 , wherein: the non-jump-based trick play mode comprises pause; a frame located at the marked position is buffered to provide for delayed playback at the termination of pause.

49. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 , in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said frame buffer holds a last decoded frame from said second decoder; input to said frame buffer is switched from said second path to said first path to store the next frame from said first path; and a display displays said television signal from said first path.

50. Apparatus in accordance with claim 49 , wherein said trick play mode comprises a jump-based trick play mode.

51. Apparatus in accordance with claim 41 , wherein, in order to switch from trick play mode display from said second path to display of the television signal from said first path: said processor determines when a point in the digital data stream providing the trick play mode approaches a corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored based on at least one of said markers; said frame buffer holds a last decoded frame from said second decoder when said point in said digital data stream is at a predetermined distance from said corresponding point at which said buffered television signal is being stored; input to said frame buffer is switched from the second path to the first path to store the next frame from said first path; and a display displays said television signal from said first path.

52. Apparatus in accordance with claim 27 , wherein said markers comprise at least one of a time stamp, a position indicator, a jump location indicator, a chapter indicator, a flag embedded in the digital signal, a digital watermark, a data tag.